Armed men suspected to be kidnappers have abducted two farmers in Parubber community, located in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, with the abductors reportedly demanding N100m for the victims’ release.
The victims were said to have been working on their farms when the attackers struck and forced them into a nearby forest.
One of the survivors, Pastor Yemi Omowale, said the attack occurred on Monday afternoon while they were feeding animals at a piggery along the Ondo-Ife highway.
He recalled seeing a masked gunman wielding an AK-47 rifle approach one of the victims before the assailants overpowered and led the two farmers away.
Omowale disclosed that the kidnappers later contacted the family of one of the victims and insisted on a N100m ransom, while repeatedly asking how much money had been raised.
He added that the matter had been reported to the Nigeria Police Force and the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun, urging the authorities to ensure the victims are rescued safely.
The spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, confirmed the incident, saying the report was received at the Oke-Igbo Divisional Police Headquarters.
According to him, a combined team of police operatives, the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, local hunters and vigilantes has launched an intensive search for the abducted farmers.
He assured residents that every available operational and intelligence resource was being deployed to secure the victims’ release and bring the kidnappers to justice, while calling on the public to provide useful information that could support the rescue efforts.